Pat Neshek and his Shohei Ohtani trading card remorse
By Rick Soisson
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Pat Neshek got his hands on a rare find and did the improbable.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Pat Neshek has already done the nearly impossible. He has made news while still on the disabled list during the exciting start to the current season that’s seen the improbable Pittsburgh Pirates seize a division lead, and San Diego’s Freddy Galvis (.318 BA) and Atlanta’s Ryan Flaherty (.333 BA) create some early season clippings they can show their grandchildren.
Even better, his news has nothing to do with boring, rehab filler news involving quotes like “I’m feeling strong, and I’ll be ready to go soon.”
Nope. Pat Neshek, a committed memorabilia collector in his own sport, sold a baseball card, and now he’s sort of sorry.
You’re possibly thinking, “That’s total nerd stuff!”
Seriously? If you’re reading posts on this website, and you’re claiming you never collected baseball cards, you’re a liar. Perhaps you’ve “grown out of them,” matured as it were, but who among baseball fans hasn’t at least considered these cards as potential purchases or even investments.
The basic facts of Neshek’s situation were ably summarized by Call to the Pen’s Neil Harrington recently. They are as follows: The pitcher stumbled onto a signed 2018 Topps Heritage Shohei Ohtani when he bought a “few boxes” of cards recently. (Oh, to make Neshek’s salary and be able to buy a few boxes of cards without having to explain it to your wife or girlfriend.) In any event, the pitcher was so excited he encased the rare item in a protective holder upside down.
Then, somewhat inexplicably, Pat Neshek sold the card on eBay for $6100. Unfortunately, this was just before Ohtani went on something of a home run tear and flirted with a perfect game on the mound.
Comparisons to Babe Ruth, already in the air, suddenly skyrocketed. Ohtani would make the Los Angeles Angels true contenders! He’ll hit 80 bombs this season! He’ll flap his arms and fly around the outfield during the seventh inning stretch!
Neshek was forlorn. That card will be worth millions. Or will it?